Drummond to Retire

                                                                                                                                                                          Vol. V, No. 1, March 1992

Dr. Lewis A. Drummond, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary at Wake Forest, N.C., on 31 January announced his retirement effective 30 June. Dr. Drummond's statement said in part, "Some four years ago the trustees ... elected me as the fourth president of this institution. It has been four years of ferment and fervent labor. Yet it has also been four years of building for the future. ... In light of the task before Southeastern ... in rebuilding faculty, administration, student body, etc., it has become increasingly a clear conviction that I must leave that rebuilding to another.

... May the good Lord send His chosen successor to you to carry on this vital work. ..."

The Executive Committee of the trustees responded. "[Dr.] Drummond became President of Southeastern ... on March 14, 1988 and has led the seminary during a very difficult and trying time. When he became President, it was a time of transition, but he led in a positive way with a loving spirit. ... During Dr. Drummond's administration a new Faculty Selection Process has been implemented with the selection of some outstanding scholars. The Center for Great Commission Studies has been established which will have a world-wide impact for Christian evangelism. Fraternal relationships with Eastern Europe and Asia have already been established. An Institutional Self-Study with a Long Range Plan for the rest of this decade has been put into operation. A Purpose Statement has been rewritten and a spirit of enthusiastic evangelistic teaching has been generated. ... As Dr. and Mrs. Drummond leave Southeastern and enter retirement, we wish to assure them of our prayers in the new and exciting period of their lives. The fruit of their labor here will bear fruit until the end of this age."

The trustees indicated that they will immediately start the search for a successor. [SE news release]

Comment: The new president of Southeastern will have the potential of major impact upon Southern Baptist life in Virginia and all the eastern seaboard. Readers are urged to pray diligently and persistently that the trustee search committee be led to God's choice for the job.